Otis H. Barnes Biography


	This biography appears on pages 385-386 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				OTIS H. BARNES.  

	In the enterprising and growing town of Belle Fourche Otis H. 
Barnes figures as a prominent factor. He is the secretary of the Belle 
Fourche Commercial Club and is putting forth earnest, systematic and 
well directed efforts in that connection to advance the interests of 
the community. He is a western man, knows the needs and opportunities 
of the west and is doing work that is beneficially resultant. He was 
born in Pawnee county, Nebraska, November 1, 1889, a son of John A. and 
Jennie (O'Donnell) Barnes, the latter a native of County Cork, Ireland. 
The father, who was born near Springfield, Illinois, followed the 
occupation of farming in early life and afterward became a railroad 
mechanic, remaining active in that field of labor until about 1910, 
when he engaged in the real-estate business at Buckeye, Texas, to which 
place he removed in the winter of 1913. He had become a resident of 
Nebraska when a lad of about fifteen years and lived in that state 
until he went to Texas.  

	Otis H. Barnes, the elder of two children, pursued his education 
in his native state and after attending the high school at Lincoln 
became a student in the State University of that place. He worked for 
others while pursuing his studies, earning his way all through the 
three years of his university course. He realized what an advantage is 
a liberal education as a factor in later success in life and he put 
forth every effort in his power to secure a liberal intellectual 
training. After leaving the university he was employed at survey work 
by the Burlington Railroad Company for a year and subsequently engaged 
in newspaper work at Table Rock, Nebraska. Still later he conducted a 
paper at Banner Springs for two years and on the expiration of that 
period purchased a paper at Table Rock, where he remained for several 
years. In May, 1913, he arrived in Belle Fourche, accepting the 
position of secretary of the Belle Fourche Commercial Club, and to the 
work of that organization he has since devoted his time and energies to 
the satisfaction of its member ship and to the benefit of the 
organization and the city. 

	In June, 1913, Mr. Barnes was united in marriage to Miss Ruth 
Michaels, who was born at Banner Springs, Kansas, a daughter of Daniel 
and Maude Michaels, natives of Kansas and Kentucky respectively. The 
father departed this life in 1900 but the mother survives and is now 
living in Kansas City, Kansas.  

	Mr. Barnes and his wife are faithful members of the Presbyterian 
church and his political endorsement is given to the republican party. 
He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is 
thus able to support his position by intelligent argument. He knows the 
west and is a student of the signs of the times, so that in his present 
official connection his efforts are wisely directed. He is working for 
larger opportunities for the city in a commercial way and employs 
judicious advertising and all legitimate methods to advance the welfare 
of his town.